As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. - 1 Peter 4:10 

What is a Christian steward? A Christian steward is one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cultivates them responsibly, shares them with others and returns them with increase to the Lord. The definition, rooted in biblical and church tradition, corresponds with Almighty God’s decision to entrust to humanity the universe God had created (Gn 1:26-31) and with Jesus Christ’s famous parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-36).

For disciples of Christ—everyone who responds to Jesus’ invitation, “Come, follow me”—Christian stewardship is an obligation, not an option. Correctly and fully understood, Christian stewardship holds every individual accountable to God for personal care of the universe. At the time of judgment, God will have the right to ask: “What did you do with my world?”

Christian stewardship, therefore, applies to everything—all personal talents, abilities, and wealth; the local, national, and worldwide environment; all human and natural resources wherever they are; the economic order; governmental affairs; and even outer space. This stewardship does not tolerate indifference to anything important in God’s world.

—Excerpts from Stewardship: A Disciple's Response, Pastoral Letter on Stewardship of the Bishops of the United States, 1992